Given the cost of living and what appears to be the rising cost of aircraft add-ons. What’s your limit for a good or average aircraft.
My max price is actually fluid, with the developer in question playing a large part in determining what I’m comfortable paying.
If I said $30, then that would mean I could buy the recent 737-100, but that isn’t happening 
I’m waiting for the A300-200 from Just Flight. This is an aircraft I will pay a lot for.
I’ve probably paid no more than £50 since I started acquiring them. I can only buy via the MP so I tend to wait until there’s a sale of sorts and look for good value bundles.
My biggest frustration is the difference between UK and US prices - not even close to the exchange rate. I could save loads by setting up as a US customer.
It depends on the aircraft and the developer. I’d happily pay pretty much any reasonable price for a Fenix or iFly because their quality and systems depth usually justify it for me. But with PMDG, for example, I’m a lot more hesitant - I wouldn’t automatically pay whatever they ask just because of the name.
Really 50.00? Do you have the aviator edition?
For me it’s usually somewhere around €60 to €80 if it’s an aircraft I know I’ll actually keep flying. If it’s a high-fidelity airliner or a bizjet that feels complete, I can justify that a lot more easily. For lighter GA or something I’m only mildly curious about, I’m usually more in the €30 to €40 range or I just wait for a sale. The price matters, but for me it’s really the mix of depth, polish and how often I’ll realistically use it.
Do you feel PMDG craft lack depth? When you say Fenix and iFly, what is better? Isn’t 1 of those free as well?
Hard to say…I try to differentiate between “facts” and “heart” when thinking of buying an add-on. That means that sometimes I buy a plane because I am somehow attached to it, knowing that it might be overpriced regarding standards of similar aircraft.
For a “good/average” aircraft around 30 Euros are my limit, above that (or when the mentioned emotion joker kicks in) is quite rare. I often buy during sales anyway…
I don’t. Nothing of interest to me.
One of the things to consider is whether or not you can really appreciate the depth of systems in the aircraft. I’m not sure many simmers can. The Fenix FMS is excellent, PMDG has such subtle effects (read their in depth systems overview), Just Flight - superb, like incandescent landing lights on the F28 that slowly increase to full brightness.
There’s so much to the aircraft created by top level developers, most of which is probably never appreciated by the average simmer - for those that do appreciate it though it’s worth the investment (IMHO).
€120 but it would have to include everything. Perfect realism in and around the aircraft. Passengers, cargo, good performance, everything.
How would you define “perfect realism?” The sim can’t deliver that
I really don’t have a max but the max I’ve spent is $130. Many addon aircraft I have are at the very least $50. The price of the aircraft doesn’t really matter to me also but the fidelity does. I would easily buy a very well simulated Cessna 150 for $80.
Agreed, as I am learning these 3rd party aircraft I am recognising the difference in depth and enjoyment in mastering them. My journey is relatively new so I’m having a blast now that many more systems make much more sense and have more familiarity.
I feel as though my hangar is almost full of the aircraft I want to learn to fly but I have been like a kiddie in a sweet shop wanting to buy all of the best aircraft.
Pardon for asking but which aircraft was 130.00? In MSFS2024 or a different sim?
Another sim.
I suppose buying an expensive plane or two is fine if you are committed to the brand, or role play as a 737 or A320 pilot. I don’t, I like a lot of variety but it’s hard to justify the cost. My “cheat” is to write them down over say two years - even if I only fly them once a week over the two year period the cost is down to £1 a flight for a £100 plane - not bad to be fair.
Sensible way to look at it. Mine is to reason with myself in that as it’s my only hobby focus right now, it’s something I’ll enjoy for years to come and to get those aircraft I want while I can afford them that will bring hours of enjoyment for years and years.
1 aircraft costs less than a meal out and gives hours of fun.
